KUALA LUMPUR: It costs more to fly by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) in several international sectors, according to a survey by 25 Tourism Ministry overseas offices.

The airfare is on the high side, and we are asking MAS to look into this, said Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Donald Lim.

Based on the survey, out of 17 sectors, MAS fares are high in 12, including India, China and the Middle East, he told the press after chairing the fourth meeting on facilitating the entry of tourists to Malaysia.

He said the Ministry would let MAS decide but we want them to take note, as Visit Malaysia Year is just around the corner.

On the shortage of NGV (natural gas vehicles) stations around the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Lim said Petronas has agreed to step up station operations.

We feel that the two most important things are to have a station at the LCC Terminal and to expand the operations at KLIA.

Responding to Lim, MAS Managing Director/CEO Idris Jala said in a statement that their international fares had been benchmarked against competitors' normal fares and were competitive.

However, when competitors run special promotions, obviously these would differ depending on the markets and seasonality as an airline seat, if not filled, is perishable.

We have requested for details of the survey on air fares that is referenced as we would like to be sure that we have not outpriced the needs of the market.

Barbados voted a top off-peak destination

One online community, which focuses on giving consumers information on travel promotions, has voted Barbados one of the top five off-peak destinations for Fall 2006.

According to smarterTravel, Barbados, Jamaica, Panama, Sarasota and Taos were the places to visit during their slower tourist season.

Saying that over the summer travellers had to deal with expensive air fares and crowded planes, the report noted that recent information had indicated that there would be a reprieve for Fall travel.

Price cuts on a number of airlines  including American, Continental, Delta and United  in time for the Fall season, have resulted in drop of ticket prices by between four and eight per cent, it added.

It pointed out that during this season, airfare, vacation and hotel deals were plentiful, especially in the United States, Caribbean and Central America and as an added bonus, many of these destinations offered unique Fall festivals and events.

'Sweep' Into Fall With American Airlines Fall Sale to Europe and ...

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- If you missed out on a trip to Europe this past summer, here's your second chance (and it's a good one): American Airlines has put its European destinations on sale for fall travel. And to make it an even finer fall for flying, the airline is offering a Fall Sale Sweepstakes on its Web site, AA.com®.

American, a founding member of the global oneworld® Alliance, flies to nine destinations in Europe (London and Manchester in Great Britain; Dublin and Shannon in Ireland; Brussels; Paris; Frankfurt; Madrid; and Zurich), and they're all on sale for travel beginning Nov. 1 through Dec. 14, 2006, with travel completed by Jan. 13, 2007.

In addition, book your trip on AA.com -- or even just visit American's award-winning Web site -- and you could win one of three exciting getaway packages, along with airfare, to some of Europe's most enchanting spots.

Jagson cuts airfares to Himachal Pradesh

Jagson Airlines entered a price war Friday by fixing its airfare to any Himachal Pradesh destination from the national capital to as low as Rs.1,000.

'To avail this facility a ticket must be booked at least 40 days in advance or lesser days depending on availability of tickets,' Dhar explained.